A Lake County man has been charged after allegedly pepper spraying the face of a Planned Parenthood protester in Waukegan.
Robert Outland is officially charged with a single count of aggravated battery in a public place, a Class 2 felony, for attacking the protester during a protest at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday.
Outland could be sentenced to up to 7 years in prison if found guilty at trial.
Outland is also charged with a Class C misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
Officers were dispatched to Planned Parenthood in Waukegan for a person harassing protesters from the group “40 Days for Life.”
The group was set up across the street from Planned Parenthood on Lewis Avenue in Waukegan and court officials said Outland was ripping down signs and kicking the table of the protesters at the event.
This was the third time in recent days Outland was at Planned Parenthood harassing protesters, court officials said.
The victim attempted to step between protesters and Outland to chastise him for his conduct.
At that point, Outland produced pepper spray and released it into the face of the victim.
The incident was witnessed by several other protesters in the area, court officials said.
Outland was released following a court appearance Thursday morning. The charge of aggravated battery in a public place is not a detainable offense under the Illinois Safe-T Act.
Outland was ordered to turn over any weapons to Waukegan police within 24 hours, not have any contact with the “40 Days For Life” organization, and to stay away from the individual victim of the incident.
He is due back in court on Oct. 15 for a preliminary hearing.